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The Question
(Submitted March 27, 1997)
I was just wondering exactly what astrophysics is?
Also what is the difference between astrophysics
and high-energy astrophysics?
The Answer
Astrophysics is the part of astronomy that deals with the physics
of stars, stellar systems, and interstellar material. It applies
the laws of physics to astronomical bodies in order to help us
understand how these bodies formed, how they interact with other
bodies, and how they cease to be.
High-energy astrophysics is a sub-branch of astrophysics which
utilizes information obtained from astronomical objects in X-ray
and gamma-ray wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum. X-rays
and gamma-rays have higher energies than visible and ultraviolet
light.
Jim Lochner
for Ask an Astrophysicist
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